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Liveaboard Diving in Darwin Island
What to expect on a Darwin Island Liveaboard
Named after the famous evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin, Darwin Island and Darwin's arch pillars, now unfortunately collapsed, are the most Northerly and most remote outcrops of Galapagos. They sit 40 km / 25 miles North of Wolf Island and they both sit on the same mid-ocean ridge that makes the bottom topography and current streams so special around the islands. Darwin is incredibly small with only 1 km / 0.5 mile above water.
When you are there, the island feels very remote and special with your only company being the Galapagos National Park patrol and research boats. Land visits to Darwin and Darwin's Pillars are not allowed and only a very few liveaboard dive boats visit here. The underwater life is spectacular with an unbelievable number of hammerhead sharks, tuna, silkies, turtles and chances to see tiger and whale sharks.
On the island and the pillars you can see red footed boobies, vampire finch and fur seals. The waters around the island are highly protected due to the number of sharks and other large pelagics at risk from illegal fishing. Darwin Island is also a common location for the Galapagos National Park to tag hammerheads and whale sharks which are passing on the ocean currents.
Daily Schedule
Morning
The day will start early with two morning dives with breakfast in between. After the briefing you will be dropped by panga tender in the area around Darwin's pillars. All the dives will be done around the pillars and where you are dropped will depend very much on the surface conditions and the current.
With high swell and very strong currents Darwin's pillars is not for the faint hearted but it is absolutely stunning. The waters are thick with sharks, rays, tuna and during the whale shark season this is your best chance to dive with the giants. Dives normally last round 50-60 minutes and the aquatic show is so spectacular you might find the time seems to go very quickly.
Afternoon
If conditions permit you will have another two dives at Darwin. After lunch everyone will be straight down to the dive deck itching to get back in the water. Although there is technically only one dive site at Darwin you will find that the different routes taken by the guides will give you a new experience each time. The pangas will drop you at a different side of the pillars and pick you up after your safety stop which with this many sharks and pelagics will no doubt be in the blue.
Evening
In the evening if the conditions are very good the boat might anchor in the shelter of the island but more likely it will return to Wolf Island for the night. If you sit up on the deck, there will be a chance to see dolphins and sea birds or you can enjoy looking over your endless shark videos instead!
Darwin Island Underwater
Darwin Island is one of those places where you could literally see anything! All the aquatic life you would feel lucky to encounter anywhere else is here in abundance. The current channels around Darwin are like a pelagic highway at rush hour. The rock reef and plateau at Darwin are a viewing platform to see endless schools of sharks and rays of all sizes. Hammerhead juveniles are particularly curious and the chances are good of a close encounter. Down on the sandy bottom is your chance to see hammerhead pups. They are carefully guarded by larger hammerheads and will shy away if approached.
Galapagos sharks are also around and who knew there could be so many turtles in the one place. During the season you have a good chance of seeing whale sharks and tiger sharks here so keep a keen eye out for those spots and stripes. As if all that wasn’t enough you can also meet passing dolphins, sea lions and even the occasional orca whale. Be aware the first sign of orcas is the sudden disappearance of all the other aquatic life. Most of the dives are between 10 and 25 meters making Nitrox essential to make the most of your time with the sharks.
Top Tips for Darwin Island
- The conditions at Darwin are rough so be prepared for a negative entry from the panga.
- Gloves are an absolute necessity, the current here his phenomenal and the barnacles are sharp.
- Your 3-minute safety stop should be in the blue if at all possible, it is your chance to really get in the thick of the shark schools and maybe spot a whale shark too.
- Stay close to your buddy and the group the current here is not to be underestimated and it is easy to get distracted by the marine life. You may even have to wedge yourself into the rocks to stop from drifting.
Getting to Darwin Island
Most Galapagos liveaboards stop at Wolf before sailing on to Darwin although this depends on sea conditions. Darwin is very exposed to the elements but liveaboards can shelter behind the island at anchor. The sail is only 40 km but it can be a spectacular journey if you keep an eye out to sea. Pods of dolphins and sometimes breaching rays along with numerous sea bird can be seen from the deck. Divers will always be dropped at Darwin's pillars by panga tender and it can be a wild ride with high swell and wind waves the norm.
Darwin Island Diving Reviews
- 9.0 Superb
- 122 Verified Reviews
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Jane S
![United States]()
United States
Spectacular with a full day of diving with whale sharks!
Diving Darwin Island in August on the Humbolt Explorer
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Jennifer R
![United States]()
United States
Once in a lifetime. Hundreds of hammerheads, galapagos sharks, 200 lb tuna, schools of jacks, and 2 whale sharks!!
Diving Darwin Island in August on the Galapagos Sky
- 10.0 Exceptional
- cathleen B
![United States]()
United States
exquisite, simply the best, over to the top amazing, no words or pics could ever do it justice!!
Diving Darwin Island in September on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Laura R
![United States]()
United States
Same as Wolf. Just beyond imagination!
Diving Darwin Island in December on the Humboldt Explorer
- 8.4 Very good
- Igor T
![United States]()
United States
When we were there, there was almost no current, and very few fish; so we decided to come back to Wolf instead and do more dives there.
Diving Darwin Island in February on the Humboldt Explorer
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Steven W
![United States]()
United States
Spectacular - the huge schools of hammerheads and Galapagos sharks were an out-of-this-world sight!
Diving Darwin Island in February on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 8.4 Very good
- Gary W
![United States]()
United States
Superb, the Darwin Arch is worth the trip alone
Diving Darwin Island in March on the Humboldt Explorer
- 9.2 Superb
- Patick W
![United States]()
United States
Great. Schools of hammerheads, lots of dolphins, green turtles. Schools of 5-stripe bass, big eyed jacks and blue-stripped snappers. Lots of yellow-tail surgeon fish, guinea-fowl puffers, green sea turtles, and parrot-fish.
Diving Darwin Island in February on the Nortada
- 8.8 Fabulous
- John G
![United States]()
United States
Very good. Lots of hammerheads. Large garden eels (more like snakes). Water pretty warm in Feb. Did same dive sites at least twice.
Diving Darwin Island in February on the Nortada
- 8.4 Very good
- Amanda C
![United States]()
United States
It was good, lots of hammerhead sharks. Very strong current. Not as good as at Wolf.
Diving Darwin Island in June on the Humboldt Explorer
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Greg A
![United States]()
United States
World Class - best dives of my long life!
Diving Darwin Island in July on the Humboldt Explorer
- 9.2 Superb
- Ryan L
![United States]()
United States
Super strong current. So many sharks!
Diving Darwin Island in October on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 8.4 Very good
- Chadwick P
![United States]()
United States
My favorite spot on the trip but no whale sharks could be seen
Diving Darwin Island in December on the Humboldt Explorer
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Maggie V
![United States]()
United States
Copious amounts of hammerheads
Diving Darwin Island in December on the Galapagos Sky
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Gregory G
![United States]()
United States
Amazing, hundreds of hammerheads, rays, turtles, bat fish , mola molas, scorpion fish and many more.
Diving Darwin Island in December on the Galapagos Sky
- 10.0 Exceptional
- David D
![United States]()
United States
The diving at Darwin was a bit of a disappointment, strong currents, cold water, and not much to see.
Diving Darwin Island in April on the Galapagos Sky
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Cameron M
![United States]()
United States
The currents were strong and the visibility not very good. We kept moving more than I would have liked, but that may have been because of the water situation.
Diving Darwin Island in April on the Tiburon Explorer
- 8.4 Very good
- Brett M
![United States]()
United States
Phenomenal. Not many places like it.
Diving Darwin Island in July on the Galapagos Master
- 8.4 Very good
- Donielle K
![United States]()
United States
Great! Whale shark on the full moon!
Diving Darwin Island in August on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Enrique F
![United States]()
United States
Stronger current, got to see sharks, big schools of fish, whale sharks.
Diving Darwin Island in September on the Calipso
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Ethan H
![United States]()
United States
Amazing. Whale sharks galore
Diving Darwin Island in October on the Calipso
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Kenneth B
![United States]()
United States
The best place. Can see whale sharks every dive
Diving Darwin Island in December on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Ellen A
![United States]()
United States
Amazing! Dove with the schooling hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, turtles, morays, large schools. When we were back on the panga a pod of orcas swam by us.
Diving Darwin Island in January on the Galapagos Sky
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Jennifer A
![United States]()
United States
Perfect - whale sharks and hammerheads at swing season
Diving Darwin Island in January on the Calipso
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Michael M
![United States]()
United States
Saw a whale shark and schools of hammer heads.
Diving Darwin Island in January on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Lauren R
![United States]()
United States
The BEST diving in my 22 years of experience! SO many whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphins, and more!
Diving Darwin Island in May on the Tiburon Explorer
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Cindy P
![United States]()
United States
Darwin was at the top of the locations. Did 4 dives and saw whale fish on every dive, along with eagle rays, mobula rays and many other things.
Diving Darwin Island in November on the Calipso
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Christine T
![United States]()
United States
So many hammerheads, so little time.... Whale sharks too.
Diving Darwin Island in November on the Calipso
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Derek G
![United States]()
United States
Better conditions and more wildlife than at Wolf. Changed our itinerary to try and see Whale shark and on the last dive at Darwin - we did!
Diving Darwin Island in November on the Calipso
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Robert C
![United States]()
United States
One of our favorite locations. So many sharks, beautiful life. Dolphins
Diving Darwin Island in January on the Tiburon Explorer
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Jennifer F
![United States]()
United States
Day 2 steps and very hot exposed walk but again snorkeling afterward great relief
Diving Darwin Island in February on the Tip Top II
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Oliver G
![Germany]()
Germany
outstanding - best on the planet
Diving Darwin Island in July on the Galapagos Master
- 7.2 Good
- Saypraseuth M
![France]()
France
Challenging but rewarding (cold water and very stong current). We saw big schools of hammerheads.
Diving Darwin Island in July on the Astrea Liveaboard
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Judy O
![New Zealand]()
New Zealand
tbe best amazing brilliant.. whale sharks on 4/7 dives strong currents, negative entries hundreds and hundreds of schooling hammerheads, also silkies, galapagos sharks
Diving Darwin Island in August on the Galapagos Sky
- 8.4 Very good
- Rene B
![Switzerland]()
Switzerland
Above expectations, this was the best dives. We were wowed.
Diving Darwin Island in August on the Humboldt Explorer
- 9.6 Exceptional
- JAEKYUNG K
![South Korea]()
South Korea
excellent. u can see whalesharks almost every dives and almost more than once. sometimes u can see dolphins swimming through while your safety stop. dont stop looking around even on your safety stop.
Diving Darwin Island in September on the Humboldt Explorer
- 9.2 Superb
- Thomas R
![Germany]()
Germany
same, incredible diving with many sharks
Diving Darwin Island in December on the Humboldt Explorer
- 8.0 Very good
- Pelle L
![Sweden]()
Sweden
Hammerheads and dolphins, few dives with ok visibility.
Diving Darwin Island in January on the Humboldt Explorer
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Ingo L
![Germany]()
Germany
Best divespot on this trip
Diving Darwin Island in April on the Humboldt Explorer
- 10.0 Exceptional
- seulky K
![South Korea]()
South Korea
Very very very very strong current. It was fun :-) I could see big whale shark also here!
Diving Darwin Island in June on the Humboldt Explorer
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Geoff C
![Australia]()
Australia
I can't put into words how good diving with whale sharks was. We saw a whale shark, and everything everybody was taught about diving went out the window! I just hope I'm lucky enough to experience it again.
Diving Darwin Island in July on the Humboldt Explorer
- 8.0 Very good
- Masato O
![Japan]()
Japan
I saw every big sharks in this point. Especially, hammer head .
Diving Darwin Island in August on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 9.6 Exceptional
- DENIS C
![France]()
France
fabulous each time we saw whale sharks
Diving Darwin Island in October on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Anette S
![Norway]()
Norway
Best diving spot ever. A lot of life.
Diving Darwin Island in October on the Nortada
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Andreas S
![Switzerland]()
Switzerland
The best diving ever with a bunch of gigantic Whale Sharks, many Hammerheads and Galapagos Sharks.
Diving Darwin Island in November on the Galapagos Master
- 7.2 Good
- Charmaine H
![Australia]()
Australia
Whale sharks! (early November)
Diving Darwin Island in November on the Humboldt Explorer
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Ulrike W
![Austria]()
Austria
great canal, masses of sharks, nice drift dives
Diving Darwin Island in February on the Nortada
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Sylvie S
![France]()
France
Amazing! Schools of hammerheads, balls of trevallies, silkies, Galapagos and whale sharks. So many dolphins seen from the boat.
Diving Darwin Island in April on the Galapagos Master
- 8.4 Very good
- Melanie H
![New Zealand]()
New Zealand
This place was incredible for hammerheads. They came super close at the cleaning station. Each one had maybe ten or eleven angel were heaps of turtles sleeping and the horxbille turtles. There was only one dive site, the Darwin arch. We dived five dives here in one day. Epic. Hammerheadville. One dive, we did a safety stop and could hear dolphins. When we were on the dingy back we saw them and that’s when we saw dolphins. The guides told us to put our fins on and swim! So we swam with dolphins twice! And we saw them on the safety stop on the last dive. Awesome! We also see octopus, mobular Rays, turtle cleaning, silky rays, hammerhead rush hour.
Diving Darwin Island in April on the Nortada
- 8.0 Very good
- Yee Hon C
![Malaysia]()
Malaysia
I can see how amazing diving here would be, but given we were here for only 1.5/2 days, we didn't get a much varied dives but I still loved the challenge diving at the Arch, and the activities here are just a whole other world altogether.
Diving Darwin Island in June on the Humboldt Explorer
- 8.8 Fabulous
- SOPHIE B
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Excellent - the best I have ever experienced
Diving Darwin Island in July on the Galapagos Sky
- 9.2 Superb
- Natsumi U
![Japan]()
Japan
Wonderful! We saw so many whale sharks and currents were mild.
Diving Darwin Island in August on the Galapagos Master
- 7.6 Good
- Eric F
![Switzerland]()
Switzerland
World top class diving, fishy, 4-6 Whale-shark sightings at every dive, plenty of Hammer-Heads, school of large sizes fishes...
Diving Darwin Island in August on the Humboldt Explorer
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Yunmi H
![South Korea]()
South Korea
Fantastic, All kinds sharks, whale sharks, hammer heads, silkys, black tips etcetc
Diving Darwin Island in September on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Michael W
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Amazing to be surrounded by hammerheads and see the whale sharks
Diving Darwin Island in September on the Nortada
- 9.2 Superb
- Nanae G
![Switzerland]()
Switzerland
Good but less sharks than Wolf island, big surge and strong currents
Diving Darwin Island in December on the Humboldt Explorer
- 8.8 Fabulous
- EIKO S
![Japan]()
Japan
The best dive in this trip was at Darwin island to see a big school of hammberhead
Diving Darwin Island in December on the Humboldt Explorer
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Chi Lun C
![Hong Kong]()
Hong Kong
Amazing. Surprise of whale shark appearing
Diving Darwin Island in January on the Majestic Explorer
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Vladislav P
![Germany]()
Germany
4 dives were wonderful, hammerheads, turtles, clouds of 'gringos', schools of jacks and sharks hunting them. Then 2 last dives rather disappointing, not too much to see
Diving Darwin Island in February on the Humboldt Explorer
- 9.2 Superb
- Steffen B
![Switzerland]()
Switzerland
Amazing plays above and below water. We saw less hammerheads than at wolf but the dolphins were amazing
Diving Darwin Island in February on the Humboldt Explorer
- 8.0 Very good
- Chong P
![Malaysia]()
Malaysia
Amazing but the water and the current was too cold and strong for me.
Diving Darwin Island in March on the Galapagos Sky
- 9.2 Superb
- Frank G
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Amazing to see Darwins Arch and some fantastic marine life
Diving Darwin Island in April on the Humboldt Explorer
- 9.2 Superb
- Emma B
![Australia]()
Australia
The best! Loads of hammerheads, whale sharks and a tiger shark, but very strong current at times
Diving Darwin Island in May on the Galapagos Sky
- 8.0 Very good
- Fanny C
![France]()
France
Great. Lots of whale sharks and big schools of fish. Hammerheads
Diving Darwin Island in May on the Galapagos Sky
- 7.6 Good
- Daniel C
![Australia]()
Australia
great, again whale sharks, dolphins, massive schools of fish.... fantastic
Diving Darwin Island in May on the Humboldt Explorer
- 9.2 Superb
- claudio A
![Austria]()
Austria
The best dives of my life! We saw wale sharks on every dive!
Diving Darwin Island in June on the Galapagos Sky
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Cyrik C
![France]()
France
Un courant de malade! Mais alors quel spectacle. Presque un requin baleine a chaque plongée
Diving Darwin Island in July on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 2.0 Review score
- Paul S
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Excellent, but ensure you dive with experienced guides who will take good care of you as currents can change quickly.
Diving Darwin Island in December on the Danubio Azul
- 6.4 Review score
- Alvaro D
![Spain]()
Spain
Impressive, second round due in cold season for whalesharks.
Diving Darwin Island in January on the Calipso
- 8.0 Very good
- Sarah B
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Hit and miss. Amazing diving with the odd disappointing dive. Some strong currents.
Diving Darwin Island in February on the Humboldt Explorer
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Todd Z
![Canada]()
Canada
Amazing, exceeded our expectations
Diving Darwin Island in February on the Humboldt Explorer
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Alvaro C
![Spain]()
Spain
Even better than Wolf, with 3 different whale sharks.
Diving Darwin Island in October on the Calipso
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Li P
![Canada]()
Canada
Amazing. Lots of sharks and life
Diving Darwin Island in December on the Calipso
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Marcela V
![Slovakia]()
Slovakia
Whale sharks (pregnant), schools of hamerheads, jacks, turtles, eagle and golden rays.. A lot of everything! Somethimes I didn't know where to look first..
Diving Darwin Island in October on the Calipso Dive
- 10.0 Exceptional
- ales Z
![Czech Republic]()
Czech Republic
3 whale sharks but otherwise slightly worse than wolf
Diving Darwin Island in October on the Calipso
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Andre H
![Switzerland]()
Switzerland
Amazing with strong currents
Diving Darwin Island in October on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 9.2 Superb
- Nadine E
![Germany]()
Germany
Whale shark with every dive and great encounter with them.
Diving Darwin Island in October on the Calipso Dive
- 6.8 Review score
- Alena Miriam S
![Czech Republic]()
Czech Republic
Whalesharks were cool, very little hammerheads, strong current
Diving Darwin Island in November on the Calipso
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Maya K
![Canada]()
Canada
This dive site is king of the ocean for whale sharks. Incredible
Diving Darwin Island in November on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 6.4 Review score
- Luis L
![Canada]()
Canada
Incredible. In 2 days there we must have seen around 20 whale sharks, plus a ton of hammerheads and Galapagos sharks.
Diving Darwin Island in December on the Humboldt Explorer
- 6.8 Review score
- Andreas P
![Germany]()
Germany
Bad visibility, but great fish life
Diving Darwin Island in January on the Galapagos Master
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Domingo G
![Spain]()
Spain
Swimming with sea lions, some currents that day, cold at times, but simply great
Diving Darwin Island in April on the Tiburon Explorer
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Muhterem Gokce Y
![Turkey]()
Turkey
Great, whale sharks, hammerheads
Diving Darwin Island in May on the Galapagos Sky
- 8.4 Very good
- Gerd K
![Germany]()
Germany
Fantastic. Saw many whale sharks, hammerheads and Galapagos sharks
Diving Darwin Island in June on the Galapagos Aggressor III
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Gyula F
![Hungary]()
Hungary
Challenging conditions and bad visibility
Diving Darwin Island in September on the Calipso
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Julia L
![Canada]()
Canada
Absolutely mind boggling! The dive involved staying put in one spot to keep a look out for Whale Sharks but it was worth the wait every time.
Diving Darwin Island in October on the Tiburon Explorer
- 6.8 Review score
- Cecilia M
![Italy]()
Italy
Amazing hammered sharks and more
Diving Darwin Island in December on the Tiburon Explorer
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Mariano C
![Argentina]()
Argentina
Lots of fish in Darwin's Arch, the highlight was a tiger shark and sea lions and dolphins.
Diving Darwin Island in February on the Galapagos Sky
- 9.2 Superb
- Joanne W
![Australia]()
Australia
Unusually rough seas with both currents and swell. Surf waves breaking on the shore. We had ti abort the last dive for safety and return to Wolf.
Diving Darwin Island in February on the Calipso
